hornworms are back!

    A week or so ago, I saw the first hawk moth of the year flying in the garden. Hawk moths are large, beautiful flying insects with a lush furry appearance. Unfortunately, though, they portend the arrival of hornworms, the larval form of these critters. This morning I saw the first manduca sexta larva on the underside of a tomato leaf. The little bugger had already eaten a chunk of the leaf. I searched around the plants and found four more of these on the underside of the leaves.

    Note the tiny black "horn" on the posterior end, thus giving the name "hornworm" to these insects.

Manduca sexta larval form on tomato leaf

Manduca sexta on fingertip

Persian squash

   Today we ate the first of the Persian squash. I planted the seedling early this summer in the raised bed. Today the first squash was ready. It was delicious with a simple delicate flavor.
   It's been interesting to learn about squashes. The species Cucurbita pepo includes such varieties as acorn squash, spaghetti squash, yellow crookneck squash, and zucchini. Many squashes seem to be called different names in different areas.  I've seen the same fruit called "Mexican gray squash" or "calabacita" in local stores.

"Persian zucchini"